SHS downs Dexter

DEXTER - The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs volleyball team earned a monumental victory on the road against the Dexter Lady Bearcats in a thrilling three-set match (23-25, 25-22, 25-23).

"This is a huge win for the program," said Sikeston head coach Steven Beydler. "The girls really wanted this win tonight. Dexter is a tough place to play and even though they didn't have (Bailey) Stanley, Dexter is still a very good team. This win will be beneficial for us down the road. It will make us tougher in tight game situations, we will have more confidence in ourselves and hopefully get better and better as the season winds down."

Stanley, a 5-foot-10 senior, is out for the year for the Bearcats after breaking her foot last week.

Despite the absence of Stanley, Dexter still has a potent lineup and took the first set on the strength of their service game.

"We were a little tentative in the first set I thought," said Beydler. "The points went back and forth but they would have one girl who would serve out a string of points and we kept on having to come from behind. Our girls still have the tendency to just push the ball over to keep it in play and at times that hurts us."

Sikeston fought hard in the second set, coming from behind for the most part of the set. At one point Sikeston trailed 16-10, but rallied to take the set.

In the deciding set, Dexter jumped out to a quick lead and held a 15-12 lead until the Lady Bulldogs rallied once again. Sikeston knotted the game at 15 and from that point on, both teams traded points until they were tied at 23 points apiece.

The Lady Bulldogs took the final two points on Dexter errors to record the hard fought victory.

"Everybody stepped up tonight and contributed," said Beydler. "I will take any win, but tonight's was a special one. It might have been a sweeter win if Stanley was in their lineup, but they played very well without her and they are going to have to adjust. I feel sorry for their loss but I got a feeling they will be fine."

Kaiser had 15 digs, nine kills and two blocks while Morris had a solid serving night and recorded nine digs.

Taylor had 10 digs and two kills for Sikeston.

Rachel Beydler had a solid night at her setter position with 16 digs, 15 assists and recorded three kills for the Lady Bulldogs. Libero Jennifer Millington did her job with 10 digs.

Juniors Martika Davis and Caitlin Underwood had productive nights at the net for Sikeston. Davis slammed five kills and had two blocks, while Underwood control the net with five blocks and had three kills for the Lady Bulldogs.